Related Topics

Sources and
Limitations of Data

In Minnesota, laboratory-confirmed
infections of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chancroid are monitored by
the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) through a passive, combined physician
and laboratory-based surveillance system. State law (Minnesota Rule 4605.7040)
requires both physicians and laboratories to report all cases of these four
bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) directly to the MDH. Other common
sexually transmitted conditions caused by viral pathogens, such as herpes simplex
virus (HSV) and human papillomavirus (HPV), are not reported to the MDH. Factors
that impact the completeness and accuracy of the available data on STDs include:
level of screening, accuracy of diagnostic tests, and compliance with case reporting.
Thus, any changes in STD rates may be due to one of these factors, or due to
actual changes in STD occurrence.

Population estimates
by year, age, gender, race, and Hispanic origin for Minnesota counties were
obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. Corresponding population estimates for
the entire state were calculated from these county data. Population estimates
for Minneapolis and St. Paul were calculated by applying the rates of change
observed for Hennepin County and Ramsey County to the 1990 census data for Minneapolis
and St. Paul, respectively. Please note that the population estimates used in
calculating the rates for a given year are always one year older than for the
reported number of cases. For example, 2000 rates are calculated by using 2000
case data and 1999 population data.

Overview
of Statistics and Highlights

Trends in chlamydia
infection, gonorrhea, and primary/secondary syphilis rates (per 100,000 persons)
by year of diagnosis for the years 1996 through 2000 are shown in Figure 1.
The corresponding number of cases and rates for all reportable bacterial STDs
for the same years are presented in Table 1. In Table 2, chlamydia, gonorrhea,
and primary/secondary syphilis case numbers and rates by residence, age, gender,
and race/ethnicity for 2000 are provided. Finally, chlamydia and gonorrhea case
numbers and rates by county for 2000 are shown in Table 3.

In 2000, chlamydia,
gonorrhea, and primary/secondary syphilis rates increased compared to the previous
year (increases of 8%, 10%, and 50%, respectively). Despite the increase, the
primary/secondary syphilis rate remained low. STD rates continue to be highest
in the seven county metropolitan area, particularly in the cities of Minneapolis
and St. Paul. Adolescents and young adults (aged 15-24 years) have the highest
rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea, whereas the highest rates for primary/secondary
syphilis are among persons in older age groups. For gonorrhea and primary/secondary
syphilis, rates are comparable for men and women. The rate of chlamydia infection
among women, however, is more than two times higher than the rate among men.
This is largely due to more frequent screening among women. Rates of STDs are
highest among communities of color. Blacks, American Indians, Hispanics, and
Asians have rates that are nearly two to 75 times higher than rates for whites,
depending on the STD and the racial/ethnic group.